The demolition of the Catholic school at the corner of Moore and Andrews Streets in South Lowell began Thursday, according to David Crescio, who was finishing up his second day of work at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

Crescio, who expects the demolition to take more than a week, said that some past students watched during the initial part of the demolition, reflecting on their times at the school, which has been a staple in Lowell for more than 100 years.

Gerry Dockett, who graduated from Sacred Heart in 1955, reminisced on attending the school back in the day, saying on Friday he'll always remember the way the nuns and priests took care of the students.

"They would straighten you right out if you got into trouble," said Dockett, who still lives in Lowell. "If I could figure out why they were doing this, it would be a lot easier."

The convent housed Sacred Heart School, which closed in 2004 when the Archdiocese of Boston consolidated the city's parochial schools.

According to a layout and landscaping plan at the demolition site, the plan is to subdivide the property into six lots and build 12 dwelling units. There will be access to the site from Moore Street via a common driveway.